Warning device for use with electrically-controlled machinery



June 1926.

' 1,588,087 I BILLINGSLEY WARNING m-zvrcr: FOR USE WITH ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED-MACHINERY I v filed August '7. 1925 4 Sheets-$heet '1.

I Mia/M 5 8.

BILL N SLEJ June 8 1926.

v 1 r 1,588,087 A. E. BILLINGSLEY WARNING, DEVICE FOR USE WITH ELVEIICTRICAL'LY CONTROLLED MACHINERY Filed Aug st 7. 19 25 4 sheets-sheet z June 1926. 1,588,087

A. E. BILLINGSLEY WARNING DEVICE FOR USE WITH ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED IMG HINBRY Filed August 7. 1925 {Shaw-Sheet 3 III //YIE/V7BQ J26, B -4 14 681. 50,

June 8, 1926. 1,588,087

A. E. BlLLiNGSLEY WARNING mavxcs FOR usm WITH ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED momma! Filed August '2, 1925 4 Sheets-Shet 4 A. 5'. -5/44 lNGJLE) By t Patented June 8, 1926.

UNITED STATES ARTHUR ERNEST'BiLLINGSLEY, OF'I-IAIJLEIGH, ENGLAND.

WARNING DEVICE ron usn wrrze: nnnopraicannY-oon'monnnn MACHINERY.

Application filed August 7, 1925, Serial n). 48,813, and in Great Britain m 8, 1924.

This invention has reference to a warning device for, use with electrically-controlled machinery, and is primarily intended for use in connection with printing machines,

but is also applicable for use with textile machinery controlled by push-buttons.

With electrically-controlled machinery it often happens that when the machine is started up, on pressing a button or operating other suitable devices, the attendant operator is unaware that said machine isbeing started, with the result that, in many cases, accidents occur. I y

The object of the presentinventionis, by the application and use of the device as hereinafter set forth, to prevent such accidents by giving a warning to the operator that the machine is about to be started up, or stopped, as the case may be. :The said warning, device, according to the invention, includes .a switch-operatingauxiliary motor underthe controlof the machinery pressbutton system with automatic switch gear mechanically operated by, and electrically 5 controlling said motor, and warning means operated by said switch gear; the latter includes a pair ofv Contact discs relatively rotatable and furnished with brushes and contacts to switch in the said warning means main motor driving the machinery, and to switch out said warning means when the machine is in full motion or stopped. Thus, in use, when the starting up button or equivalent for the machinery is operated, before the machinery gets into motion a warning signal or signals is or are sounded or shown, and there is a pause prior to the actual starting of the machinery.

In order that the said invention may be readily understood, reference is to be had tothe following description and accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front view of the automatic switch gear of a warning device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan View of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a rearview of the rotatable disc of said switch gear.

Figure 4 is a front View of the fixed disc of said switch gear. l I

Figure 5 is a diagram of the wiring of said warning device. F gure 6 is a side view illustrative ofa modified arrangement of switch gear.

Figure 7 is a plan view thereof.

thereof.

Figures 11 and-'12 are diagrams showing before making or breaking the circuit to the Figures 8" and 9 are, respectively, front and rear viewsillustrative' of the rotatable disc of said modified switchgear.

Figure 10 is a face View of he fixed disc the position of contact brushes in on and off positions.

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram 'of said modified warning device.

' In carrying out the invention, and referringfirst to. Figs. 1 .to- 5 of the drawings,

I the automatic warning device includes in its organization two circular discs ormemhere 1 and 2 made of suitable insulating material, the disc 1 being fixed and for convenience called a terminal disc ormein her, and the disc Q'beingrOtatableand called a contact discor member. ",As will be observed from the drawings the said terminal ATENT OF'FICE and; contact members land 2 respectively are suitably spaced apart, and face each other, 7

On the inner face of the member 1 are provided six suitably spacedterminal pieces 3, 1, 5, .6, 7 and 8. The terminals 3 and 8 are preferably called apparatus terminals since;

they are connected. by wires which lead to the apparatus which is to be manually controlled, such for example as the push button of the button boxes on the main control board, or any other apparatus or contrivance, forming no part of the presentinvention, butacted upon through the medium of the present device. The terminals' l and 5 are wiredtogether and also the terminals 6 and 7 are wired together, and all ofsaid terminals may be generally-called warning te 'minals since they are in circuit, or may be placed in circuit with the horn or vhooter which gives the signal as to the state of the apparatusjinconnection with which the present device is used. The-'rotatable.disc 2, which is carried by a spindle 9 operably connected by worm wheel lOandworm 11 toa switch operating auxiliary electric motor 12, is on its outer face and at its edge provided with a contact piece'constitu'ted by a flat ring 13 of copper, on which is adapted to rub acarbon brush 14. which is connected up to the vmotor 12 aforesaid, while the rim of, said rotatable. disc 2 is, with the exception of an insulating portion 15 therein, provided with a flat ring 16 of copper on which-two carbon brushes, respectively'll' and 18, are

adapted toirub, iwhic'h brushes117 and 18 are connected up to the push-buttonswitoh 19.

'On the inner face of the rotatable disc'2 aforesaid and, :extending iiperpendicular thereto are four conveniently spaced apart contacts 2 0 21, 22 and 23, "adapte d when said disc 2 is rotated, to engage the terminals 3, 4, 5, 6, 'T'a'nd Softh'eKiXed disc 1,andoi saidicontacts 20, 21, 22 and 23, the contacts 20 "and 23 are'Qpaired and positioned one to each side of theinsulating portion 15' of the rim of the rotatable disc 2 and are wired together, -while contacts 21 and 22 are also paired and Wired together. a

v Theabove' arrangement issuch that allot the brushesare normally out of action.

-Onstarting up the motor 12, by'op'erating the "push bu'tton" or circuit closer "19, ithe'disc 2 is moved in an anti-clockwise direction, vso that thewarning contacts 21: and 22 thereof first connect across warning terminals 4 and 601; thefixed disc 1,- giving a 'iirstra'nd'lon'g Warning; then "there is a 'momentary "stop of the 1100061262 then warning cont-acts 21 and 22 connectzterminals 5.and '7 of thefixed disc 1, giving a "short and -final warning before supplying current to the wires leading to the apparatusor main "motor '(not shown"). Whencontacts"20'-2-3 connect terniinalsBi'and S on thefixed "terminal" disc 1 currentis available to start the main motor Simultaneously with the bridging of the apparatus contacts"'3 and-8, the insulation 15 registers with "brush"1"8=breaking'the circuit establishedwheir'manually control-led switch 'VVhi'le the disk 2 is l returning to "its normal -"18'Oto""firstigive a longand then anshort warningsignal and i then connect the apparatus terminals '3 and S. "When the apparatlus terminals 3- and 8 have been connected the motor 12 isautomatically 1 out out by reason of insulation '15 engaging'with brush 18. On desiring to stop theapparatusit'he switch 19 'is thrown to "the oii position w'h'ereupon -the'circuit is closed through the brushl? to' the -motor12 and thewsametco'n- 1 tinues to' rotate through the remaining 180 of its cycle until the iinsulation :15 "again registers "with brush 17 whereupon the motor '12 is automatically cut out. The'brusli '14 is the common brush for the'motor l2,

it automatically breaks contact *at the 01? position and vice versa. Thus, by pushing the button to the on POSltlOIl,'S66 F1 g. 5, ourrent flows byway of wire 67to brush -18,

rim 1 6,'bru sh 14-, wire 68, auxiliary-motor 12 to -main. The auxiliary 'motor '12 then startsand rotates the disc 2 (whileso doing the hooter 24 has sounded) and after the warning signal has been given, the insulated portion 15 has reached brush 18, cutting out said auxiliary motor 12, and the contacts" 21 and 22 are atrest andconnect acrossterminal-sS and 6 of the-fixed disc 1, which is acting as a switch to give current to the speed-up and inch buttons.

'On the apparatus being stop'ped bythe operator, the oit'button 19 is pushed home, current then flowing by way of Wire 69, brush 17, metal rim l3,"brush '14, wire68, auxiliarymotor '12, which will startup and rotate-disc 2 back to its normal position, that is, when the insulated portion '15 reaches brush '17, whereupon" the auxiliary motor 12 is' cut out again."

Referring now to the modified, arrangement of'device shown in Figures -6 to .13, use is made, as in theprevious arrangement, of the fixed terminal disc 1,'the rotatable contact disc :2driveniby worm l1, wormwheel 10 and spindle 9 from motor12, butthe brushes and contacts for said discs are differently arrangedito includezother devicesin thecircuit,such for example as an inch "button for controlof inch apparatus on'the main board, anda :speed-upbntton to control speed-up apparatus onsaid'main board with their respective switches, and in this imodified arrangement of device the final'hooter or like 'warningis, or may be, dispensed iwith,'but.a starting warning is given according as the individual buttons are operated.

:The rotatable disc: 2 is provided with a copper rim 16 with oppositely disposed insulatingvportions, :respectively 25 and 26,

therein, seeFigui-es 6 to 8,-and on the front respectively 29, 30, 81 and 32see Figures The paired contacts 2930 and 3132 may be called warning and motor control contacts (referring to motor 12) and the paired terminals 33-34 and 353 6 may be called warning and motor control terminals while the contacts 3738 function as apparatus contacts. P

I The hooter, buzzer or the like 24 isconnected by wire 39- see Figure 13-to brush 40 which is adapted to make rubbing contact with the segment or strip 27 of'the rotatable disc 2. Brush 41 is connected by .wire 44 to positive main 45; brush 42 isconnected by wire 46 to switch 47 on the main board, whilst brush 43 is connected by wire 48 and relay 49 to the positive main 45 aforesaid. Brush 50-see Figures 6 and 7 which makes rubbing contact with the band 28.0n the front face of the rotatable disc 2, issee Figure 13connected by wire 51 to the motor 12. l

Of the terminals of the fixed disc 1, terminal 33 is connected by wire 52 to control wire of the speedup control apparatus on the main board; terminal 34' is connected by wire 53 to switch 47 on said main board and from switch 47 by wire 54 to the speed-up button 55 and by wire 54* to control wire of the speed-up apparatus. Terminal 35 is connected by wire 56 to control wire of the inch control apparatus on main board and terminal 36 is connected by wire 57 to switch 58 on main board, and thence by wire to inch button 60 on main board and by wire 59* to control wire of the inch control apparatus on said main board.

Terminal 37 and 38 are connected by wires 61 and '62 to a switch or apparatus not shown, on the main board of the apparatus, also not shown.

Reterring to Fig; it will be observed that 63 designates the binding posts for the terminals 37 and 38 or" the fixed terminal disc 1, while 64 designates the binding posts for the terminals 33 and 34. Also the binding posts for the inch terminals 35 and 36 of the disc 1 are represented by the reference character 65; The terminals 33 and 34 are incircuit with the speed-up button or circuit closer 55, and as just indicated the terminals 35 and 36 are in circuit with the so-called inch button or circuit closer 60.

tioning of the main apparatus, and simultaneously control the present warning device to give an indication of the change in.

the operation of the main apparatus. According to Fi 11 the disks land 2 are shown in the oii' position, the rotatablecontact member or disk2being positioned so that its contacts 29 430 connect withapparatus terminals 37-'38 on member 1. These termlna'ls 3738-are connected by wires 61 and-"62 to a switch on the main board for controlling the entire works or apparatus. Whenthe contacts 29 30 are connecting terminals '3738 the apparatus or works being controlled through the pres ent dev ce may workaccordin'g to whether the inch'or speed-up apparatus isin operat ing condition; It'will be understood that the circuit through the inch and speed-up devices willalso be opened or broken.

By reference to Fig. 12 it will be observed that the terminal disk 1 and contact disk 2 are shown in the so-called on position,

that is when the contacts 2930 of disk 2 areconnecting terminals 3334, andcontacts 3132 are 'connectingterminals 35 and 36. In this position of the disks 1 and 2 the device is operative to function when either of the circuit closers 55 or '56 is operated. lVhen themernbers 1 and 2 are in the other position, that is the off position as shownin Fig. .11 the motor 12 must be energized through the interlocking switches 49 and 66 due to the breaking of the circuit to the main apparatus. 'Briefly, therefor, the inch and speed-up buttons rotate the member 2 through a half circle, and then they are re turned to the normal or on position of Fig. 12 upon the breaking or closing of the circuit in the main apparatus.

Bearing in mind that the elements 49 and 66 are switches of the interlocking type, that is the type in which one set of terminals. 1s cut 111 when the other set is cut out, or

vice versa, it may be pointed out that the element 49 operates in conj unctionwith the so-called inch button 60 and element 66 op erates' in conjunction with the so-called speed-up button 55. In practice the wiring connections for the interlocking switch66 to circuit closers 55 are similar to those between interlocking s'witch 49 and circuit closer60. 1

The speed-upbutton55 andthe inch button 66 are examples of circuitclosers that vmay be used; each circuit closer including an interlocking switch in its circuit, and the entire system being in circuit or series with a main switch which controlsthe entire works or apparatus, said main switch being connected for example to wires (il -and 62. Thus, it the main apparatus is stopped by an operator opening the main switch connected with 61 or '62, the interlocking switches 49' and 66 (according to which cir cuit closer 55 or 60 has been manually opefr ated) will automatically change terminals toienergizejthe; motor 1201? the presentwarnmg :devlcerand brmg the rotary member 2 back to its normal vposition.

'Theaoperation may be described *briefly as follows:

Suppose for example the entire works are at ,rest, meaning the members 1 and'2 and motor 12 as well as all of themachinery in conjunction with whichthe warning device is intended to function. lhen,suppose, it is desired to start the main works or machinery slowly (the members 1 and 2 being in the on position shown in Fig. 12) the inch button or circuit closer (S0 will-be closed. Current will then flow .from' the mainrlineindicated-by the plus sign Fig. 13 through the'circuit closerdtSO to line 59- and thence through .line 55 a 'tointerlocking switch 49 causing switch member 49 to close the circuit from the main wire 7045 thro'ugh49 to line 48 leading to brush 43. .From brush 43 the current passes throughinsulating stripslfi and 23 to brush 50 and thence through line 51 to'the motor 12 thus starting the disk 2 to rotate and causing segment 27 (energized by-contact with28) to supply current to the brush 40 which is wired with thehorn 24 through the wire 39. When the disk 2 makes a h alt revolution the insulation 25 will engage brush 43,thus breaking the circuit to the motor'12 furnisl-ied'through the line 48 and interlockingv switch 49. When insulation 26 reaches brush 43 contacts 29' and 30 bridge terminals 37 and 38 and thus close circuit'between wires 61 and 62 whichconnect with the main switch (not shown) which controls'the entire works. The rnain apparatus will then continue to inch due to the closing of terminals 37 and .38 because When circuit closer-'60 was first closed the current from 59 passed through switch 58 line 57 and across the terminals 36'35 throulgh contacts-31 and 32130 wire 56 which leads directly-to the, inch control apparatus.

The inch control apparatus as well as the main switch :are in circuit and the apparatus or main works will continue to run slowly or inch as long as desired. However, ,when the operator opens the circuit of the main motor or other apparatus the circuit which includes the interlocking switch-49 just described will be broken. In other words when the circuit of the main piece of machinery is opene'dthe circuit will be automatically broken through the circuit closer or inch button 60 which will have the effect of deenergizing the coil of interlocking switch 49 and automatically causing the switchmember 49 to close the circuit between the main Wire 45 and the wire 44 leading to brush 41. Brush 41 it will be remembered is now in contact with the ,metallic strip 16 due to the fact that insulation 26in Fig.13has been moved by the previous operation of member-2into position to-engage brush 43wl1ereupon the circuit was broken after thecircuit was closed across terminals 37 and The wire 44 and brush 41 therefore energize strips 16, 28, 27, and since brush 50 is in electrical contact with strip 23 the circuit will be closed to the motor 12 through wire51 and motor 12 and will rotate member 2 to bring it back. to normal position, that is with contacts 29 and 30 engaging terminals 3334, and contacts 3132 en gaging terminals and 36. When therotary member 2;reaches this position insulation 26 again comes into engagement withthe brush 41 thus breaking the circuit to the motor 12, the fact that 49 of interlocking switch 49. closes the circuittrom 45 to 44 making no difference.

Again assuming thatthe members 1 and 2 are in their normal or on position shown.

is desired to start the in Fig. 12 and it apparatus to operate fast and the speedup button or circuitcloser 55 is closed. Cur-, rent will then pass iromthe positive main wire through the circuit closer 55 to wire.

54 and thence through switch 47 to wire v46, to brush42, contact strips .16 am 28' to brush 50 and thence to motor 12. e1 multaneouslv, however, with the closing of this circuit tothe motor 12 the circuitto the control wire of the speed-up apparatus is closed through wire 53 and terminals 34 and 33 (due to contacts 29 and 30) thence to wire 52 which as indicated, serves the speedup apparatus. The closing of the circuit to the motor 12 obviously rotates the disk or member 2 closing the circuit tothe horn 24 through brush and wire 39 as the disk moves to place contacts 29 and 30 across terminals 37 and 38. Simultaneously with the placing of the contacts 29 and 30 across terminals 37 and 38 insulation 25 engages brush 42 and therefore breaks the .circuit. to the motor 12 so that the motor 12 stopsand the disk stops. The main works or apparatus is then set for fastoperation due to the speed-up apparatus having been energized by the closing of the circuit through the wire 52 as previously explained. As long as the'main works or apparatus continues-to run contacts 29 and 30 will bridge terminals 37 and 38, but upon the opening of the circuit to the main works orapparatus to stop the same, the coil of interlocking switch 66 will be de'energized and permit the switch part 66 to close the circuit to wire from main wire 70 and since switch element 49 of interlocking switch 49 also connects wire 45 with wire 44 current willbe supplied to thebrush 41 which will in" turn energize the motor '12 through brush and wire 51 and thus cause the motor 12 to rotate the disk 2 back to its normal position, that is until insulation 26 engages with brush .41. At thistime switches 47 and 58 respectively to out the members 1 and 2 out of action if desired.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention is directed to a warning device adapted to be energized by the manual closing of a circuit which in- 7 turn 0 crates other devices for controllin P e a main apparatus or machinery. Such other apparatus or machinery may of course assume different forms but the present invention is directed particularly to the novel combination and arrangement of parts which relate to the warning device.

I claim 1. A warning device adapted for use with manually controlled electrically operated machinery including relatively rotatable terminal and contact members, warningterminals and apparatus terminals on said terminal member, warnin and'apparatus contacts carried by the contact member, a motor for moving the contact member, brush contacts carried by the contact member, brushes for engaging said brush contacts, a warning device included in circuit with the warning terminals of the terminal member, and a manually controlled switch for closing the circuit to said brushes.

2. A warning device adapted for use in connection with electrically operated machinery manually controlled from a single station, including a fixed member and a rotatable member mounted in spaced relation, .terminals carried by the fixed member, contacts carried by the rotatable member andadapted to engage the said terminals, a motor for operating'said rotatable member, an electrical warning device, contact strips carried by said rotatable member,-

brushes engaging said contact strips, certain of said brushes being included in circuit with the motor, and other of said brushes being included in circuit with the electrical warning device, and a manually operated circuit closer adapted to close the circuit to said motor through one of said brushes and one of said contact strips thereby to operate the rotatable member and close the circuit between certain of the contacts carried thereby and the terminals on the fixed member to supply current to the electrical warning device.

3. A warning device adaptedfor use in connection with electrically operated machinery manually controlled from a single station, including a fixed member, a rotatable member, terminals carried by thefixed member, contacts carried by the rotatable member and adapted to -engage said terminals, a motor operatively connected to the rotatable member, an electrical warning device, a plurality of contact strips carried by the rotatable member, a contact segment electrically connected with said strips, insulating means arranged at diametrically opposite points in two of said contact strips, andone of said strips being electrically continuous, a brush contactingwith said electrically contlnuous strip and connected to [said motor, a brush adapted to contact with said segment and electrically connected with said warningdevice, and manually operated circuit closing means electrically connected with said brushes which engage with the said strips having the insulating means arranged therein at diametrically opposite points.

4. A warning device adapted for use in connection with electrically operated machinery controlled from a single station including a fixed terminal member, a contact member rotatably mounted with reference to the fined terminal member and including a shaft having a gear thereon, amotor hav-o ing driving means engaging the gear on; the shaft of the contact member, a pair oi apparatus terminals on the terminal member, a plurality of warning terminals also on the terminal member, spaced connecting pairs of contacts carried by the contact member and adapted to rotate with the'con tact member to alternately bridge said apparatus terminals and certain of said warning terminals, brush contacts carried by the contact member, brushes for engaging said brush contacts and included in circuit, with said motor, a warningdevice adapted to be included in circuit'with thewarning terminals of the terminal member, and push button control means for closing the circuit through the warning and motor. contacts and terminals, and also through the brush contacts and brushes to'the motor and to the warning device. p

5. A warning device adapted for use with manually controlled electrically operated -machinery, including in combination, interlocking SWltCll means, relatively rotatable contact and terminal members, a motor for moving the contactmember, a warning device, and a manually controlled circuit closer included in circuit with said interlocking switch, and the motor, and means* for automatically breaking the circuit to the motor until it is again reestablished through the interlocking switch.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature hereto this 24th day of July 1925. I, ARTHUR ERNEST BILLINGSLEY. 

